Rat Queens #1Review

In the past couple years, there have been a few fantasy-styled books that have attempted to inject humor and wit into the usual sword and sorcery tales. Well, those other series can call it quits, 'cause Rat Queens #1 just perfected the formula. Like the D&D quests you started to run once you and all your friends were old enough to drink, Rat Queens reads like a mix of D20 adventures and modern angst. The lead characters are crude, rough and tumble females who party, take drugs, eat candy, and kick the crap out of anybody who crosses their path. In other words, this is one awesome comic book.

Kurtis J. Wiebe is a pretty talented dude. This comic feels like it's him cutting loose, working uninhibited and just having fun. He piles the jokes high and lets his characters be as bad as they want to be. Not every joke hits its mark, but the ones that do hit it so hard and fast it'll leave you sore. In one issue, Wiebe borrows from enough fantasy standards to build a convincing world and compelling cast of characters. It's funny, engaging, and absolutely out of control.

Of course, none of the aforementioned humor and intrigue would fly if it wasn't for the superb artwork of Roc Upchurch. Rat Queens looks frantic, exciting, and fun. Half the humor of this book comes from the characters' expressions and posture. Betty's insistence that the crew partake in some mushrooms on a trip is only sold by the look of disappointment and stubbornness on her face. Seriously, folks, Rat Queens #1 is funny, action packed and looks freaking fantastic. Just buy it, okay?